Altered Mental Status

Question 1

Is AMS a disease?

Answer 1

No it is a symptom

Question 2

What are the three most common classifications of AMS

Answer 2

Dementia, Delirium and Psychosis

Question 3

!!!What are some rapidly reversible causes of AMS?

Answer 3

Hypoglycemia (Give Dextrose) and Narcotic Overdose (Give Naloxone)

Question 4

AMS Pneumonic stands for: AEIOU TIPS

Answer 4

• Alcohol
• Epilepsy, Electrolytes and Encephalopathy
• Insulin
• Opiates and Oxygen
• Uremia
• Trauma and Temperature
• Infection
• Poisons and Psychogenic
• Shock, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage and Space occupying lesion

Question 5

Delirium

Answer 5

Rapid onset, fluctuating course, often abnormal vitals, AMS, visual hallucinations, physical exam often abnormal, poor prognosis if not treated, organic (myriad) underlying cause

Question 6

Dementia

Answer 6

Slow onset, progressive course, usually normal vital signs, normal level of consciousness, rare hallucinations, normal physical exam, prognosis progressive, and organic (Degenerative) underlying cause

Question 7

Psychosis

Answer 7

Variable onset, variable course, usually normal vital signs, variable level of consciousness, !auditory hallucinations, normal physical exam, prognosis variable, functional underlying cause

Question 8

Delirium is brain dysfunction resulting in ***

Answer 8

alterations of both level of arousal and thought content.

Question 9

Decreased level of consciousness with cranial nerve findings is ***

Answer 9

A brainstem lesion until proven otherwise.